Dear Brian,

The latest issue of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society journal, Volume 44 No. Four, Winter 2006, published an article, "Hampden Ops with 44 Squadron RAF" by W. J. Lewis DFC, W/lC RCAF (retired).

On page 127 the author states.
"Late in December (1939), we were sent out with 49 Squadron from Scampton to search for the German navy up the coast of Norway. We found nothing. We were operating as a wing led by the Commanding Officer of 49 Squadron (also flying Hampdens). Coming back he led us right into the middle of a big thunderstorm. Our squadron commander and his navigator decided to detour around the thunderstorm. When we reached the other side, 49 Squadron had disappeared. We found out later they had turned south and made a landfall in that direction. We went in through the Firth of Forth where we were met by three Hurricanes from 111 Squadron, who recognized our colours of the day. Waggling their wings, they turned away and flew off. They were followed almost immediately by 12 Spitfires of 603 City of Glasgow Auxiliary Squadorn, who didn't recognizes the colours--they waded in and shot down two of our Hampdens.

Fortunately, ten of us escaped and landed at a fighter base. We sat in their officers' mess with the station commander standing in the middle, seeing that neither side got at the other.

Yours very truly,
Norman Malayney